bobgritz
Petty Officer 2nd Class
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2009
- Messages
- 185
Does anyone know of a tried & true alternative to a shear pin (not to be confused with 'drive' pins which are usually stainless steel and have little to do with 'shear' pins). Obviously there are different specs for different engines but this isn't rocket science here ... my thread is focused on low hp outboard applications, say, under 10 hp. Is there anyone (preferably an engineer-type) who actually knows the 'general' type of alloy used. I tried using a 3/16" x 1-3/8" pin cut from a solid brass rod but it's way too soft and snapped while gliding across shallow sand bars.
One post mentioned using a piece cut from a bronze welding rod or a soft galvanized nail and those sounded logical. I motorboat mainly at low tide and work in the shallows and need something that will prevent lower end damage but that I can get 'off the rack' at a conventional big-box store like a Home Depot or a Lowes. Buying a pack of 2 OEM pins for 5 bucks and spending 12 more dollars for shipping isn't my cup of tea (no, there are no nearby dealers). Please, no amateur alchemists or conventional advice. We all know about the dangers of lower end damage and that's fine for some. Others, on the other hand, are looking for something novel, readily available and much cheaper. If you have actual proven experience (or hard information) please pipe-in and we greenhorns will wait patiently and marvel at your expertise.
One post mentioned using a piece cut from a bronze welding rod or a soft galvanized nail and those sounded logical. I motorboat mainly at low tide and work in the shallows and need something that will prevent lower end damage but that I can get 'off the rack' at a conventional big-box store like a Home Depot or a Lowes. Buying a pack of 2 OEM pins for 5 bucks and spending 12 more dollars for shipping isn't my cup of tea (no, there are no nearby dealers). Please, no amateur alchemists or conventional advice. We all know about the dangers of lower end damage and that's fine for some. Others, on the other hand, are looking for something novel, readily available and much cheaper. If you have actual proven experience (or hard information) please pipe-in and we greenhorns will wait patiently and marvel at your expertise.